Root Canal

What Is a Root Canal and Who Needs It?

When tiny canals in the teeth become infected, the pulp inside the tooth becomes diseased and needs to be removed.  The surgical removal of decaying pulp is known as a root canal.  The root canals are filled and the tooth invariably receives a crown after this.  Untreated cavities, poor dental hygiene, and infection are the main factors leading to this particular healthcare procedure.  Other reasons like trauma, extensive restorative work, or aggressive brushing can also lead to infected pulp.  The most common symptom is a toothache, although difficulty chewing, breathing, talking, and laughing are fairly common as well. It’s important to remember that a root canal is strictly a healthcare procedure and should not be used for cosmetic or elective surgery.

Root Canal Procedure

A root canal may require more than one visit to the dentist’s office, and it can be a fairly painful healthcare procedure, especially for those with sensitive teeth.  The dentist will numb the area around the target tooth or apply mild sedation.  In extreme cases, the dentist must apply general anesthesia and put the patient under completely.  The affected tooth is then drilled to reach to the pulp.  The infected pulp is removed, and the length of the root canal is measured using x-rays or electronic imaging devices.  The root canal is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized prior to filling and capping the tooth.  Although silver and other synthetic enamels are still quite popular as filling materials, many dentists now prefer to use gutta-percha, a flexible plastic polymer.  If no infection is detected after a month, a crown is placed over the filling.

Comments (0)

Show/Hide comment form